Ms. Laurie Edwards Fourth Grade Homeroom 218

Goals for Tonight Curriculum Shifts Agendas Grading Procedures Homeroom Website and other sites

Content Areas The subjects we cover in fourth grade are: Literacy Math Writing Conventions Listening, Speaking, Viewing Science Social Studies Technology Health (4 th quarter)

Literacy Reading Writing (Constructed Response) Conventions (English/Grammar) We have several new skills to cover this year, including: relative adverbs; relative pronouns; conjunctions; prepositions, figurative language (idioms); and greek & latin root words. Listening, Speaking, and Viewing

Math Place Value Word Problems Computation Organizing data Algebra Fractions Probability Perimeter & Area Percents Weight & Measurement

Science Scientific Process Ecosystems and Ecology Weather Water Cycle Solar System Sound and Light Simple Machines

Social Studies The Themes of Social Studies Map Skills Native Americans Explorers Colonial America The Revolutionary War Westward Expansion The Constitution The Industrial Revolution

Technology Interactive Whiteboard Laptops Cameras ActiVotes iTouches

How do we use the agendas? Homework Nightly Reading Record Parent/Teacher Communication (Please initial your childs agenda each evening, Monday – Thursday).

Homework Homework is assigned daily (Mon. – Thurs.). Although there will be occasional exceptions, either for no homework or for the rare weekend assignment. The student is responsible for writing down the assignments each morning in his or her agenda. Study guides and review activities will be sent home frequently to help students learn to study.

Homework - Homework is intended for reinforcement purposes. - Homework should not take more than an average of between 45 – 60 minutes of focused effort daily. This includes the 20 minutes of reading.

Homework -If a student has difficulty completing an assignment, he or she should reread the directions, try again, consult a parent, and/or refer to for assistance. -If the above has been tried, and a child remains unable to complete an assignment, he or she should ask a parent to write a brief note to that effect in the agenda.

Grading Formative grading: 4, 3, 2, 1 Summative grade: percentage Conduct and Specials: S, P or N Check with the VCE Front Office for access to the FCSS Parent Portal.

Grades on Report Cards Please keep in mind we are working toward mastery. Your child will have opportunities throughout the year to master 4 th grade concepts.

Attendance In the event of planned absences from school, students should bring in notes to alert the teacher in advance. If a child has been absent due to illness, a note from the parents and/or doctor should be sent in with the child on the first day he or she returns to school. Transportation Children must have a signed written note or fax to BEFORE 1:00 if their mode of transportation changes.

What do Elementary School Counselors Provide? Support for academic concerns Instruction in decision making & goal setting Guidance in developing and maintaining peer relationships Instruction in career awareness School Counseling for students in crisis Parent workshops How do School Counselors provide this to Students? Specials Rotation - Classroom Guidance Lessons Small Group guidance for referred students (i.e. study skills, friendship) Individual meetings with students Parent and/or Teacher conferences Referrals to outside agencies Anne Ogilvy Barry Eber Grades 1, 3, 5 Grades K, 2, 4 Mrs. Ogilvy: Grades K & 3 ext# Mr. Eber: Grades 4 & 5 ext# Parenting Classes Mentoring The Counseling Department at VCE has been awarded the RAMP status. This award recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment.

The efforts of this program are designed to improve peer relations and make the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop. This is the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today. Olweus Day is every Friday in which all students K-5 receive a classroom lesson about preventing bullying. VCE's Olweus kick off week will be October 1 st -5 th. Additional information is forthcoming. Olweus Bullying Prevention Program At VCE

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative program of the National Center for Fathering focused on improving education in our nations schools by using the influence of fathers and father- figures to provide a positive & active male role-model for students during their school day. Any father, step-father, grandfather, uncle of a VCE student can sign up. Watch DOGS are asked to volunteer at least one day throughout the school year. *Stop by the Watch DOGS table today to sign up and/or learn more about our program. For more information please check out the VCE Counselors Webpage.

Contact Information Phone: , ext Webpage: